New Receiver Research

[olds]

Bought one.

Going to replace my Denon AVR 3805 in the next 6 months. Doing the research now.
I've only owned Sony ES lines and Denon but I am not brand specific. The last ES I had had problems with my speakers. They have built-in subs and the ES saw each speaker as two and would go into protection mode.

Just curious since my receiver is 8 years old if there is new technology that I may not know about and is a must have.

Budget, $1500

Needs:
Clean power (the more the better)
5+ HDMI in
Play 5.1 from my HTPC
On screen menu

Keeping my speakers:
Def Tech BP 2006
CLR 2300 center
BPX rears

 

[JimKiler]

Going to replace my Denon AVR 3805 in the next 6 months. Doing the research now.
I've only owned Sony ES lines and Denon but I am not brand specific. The last ES I had had problems with my speakers. They have built-in subs and the ES saw each speaker as two and would go into protection mode.

Just curious since my receiver is 8 years old if there is new technology that I may not know about and is a must have.

Budget, $1500

Needs:
Clean power (the more the better)
5+ HDMI in
Play 5.1 from my HTPC
On screen menu

Keeping my speakers:
Def Tech BP 2006
CLR 2300 center
BPX rears

We are on the cusp of 4K but i fear anything today will not be compliant with an official 4k standard. Anyone know the state of 4K transport? I know the TV's are coming out but the original 1080p sets were not necessarily compatible.

 

[purbeast0]

if you are seriously willing to spend that kind of money on a receiver, i'd recommend the receiver that i got - denon 4311ci.

the newer model (4520) just came out in the past few months but you can still score a new 4311ci. they retailed for $2500, which the new model retails for, but can be found for $1300 from authorized dealers.

i was contemplating getting the 4520 for more money, but when i read the feature set and compared the two, i literally had no clue what the extra features of the newer model did so i went with the older model.

it also the best version of audyssey out there.

 

[A5]

We are on the cusp of 4K but i fear anything today will not be compliant with an official 4k standard. Anyone know the state of 4K transport? I know the TV's are coming out but the original 1080p sets were not necessarily compatible.

Yeah. HDMI 1.4 can only carry 4K at 24 fps, so with that budget (and the long timeline OP seems to like), I'd maybe wait for the 2014 model receivers with HDMI 2.0 support. If you want to buy this year, the Denon 4311 seems like a solid choice.

OP may also want to check in at AVSForum (http://www.avsforum.com/f/90/receivers-amps-and-processors) and see what they think. I honestly don't know anything about $1500 receivers since that's about 3x my price range . Up there you're going to be looking at range-toppers from the mainstream makers + low-end stuff from the more boutique brands.

 

[Paul98]

4311ci is a great suggestion, Really any receiver in your price range that has high quality room correction is what you should be looking for. Such as Audyssey XT32( which is in the 4311ci along with a good number of other receivers.), Anthem ARC, or Trinnov (in the Sherwood newcastle R-972).

These are a large upgrade, though I have only used Audyssey. It really helps out everything sound wise. After doing a bunch of testing and getting good room placement with my subs then running audyssey really flattened out the response. It sounds amazing.

 

[Paul98]

As for 4k, it's still quite a ways away for any real content or reasonably priced. Don't worry about it and when it does come out and has a good bit of real content you can pick up an HDMI switch, they are cheap.

 

[kornphlake]

Would you consider a pre-amp and several pro-audio amps? It seems like the best way to get a future proof solution, good quality amps will always be good quality amps, the features of the pre-amp are what typically force an upgrade. It looks like Emotiva sells a preamp/processor with HDMI inputs (only 4 inputs though) for about $600.

 

[A5]

As for 4k, it's still quite a ways away for any real content or reasonably priced. Don't worry about it and when it does come out and has a good bit of real content you can pick up an HDMI switch, they are cheap.

If he keeps it for a decade, 4K will be a factor.

 

[Paul98]

Would you consider a pre-amp and several pro-audio amps? It seems like the best way to get a future proof solution, good quality amps will always be good quality amps, the features of the pre-amp are what typically force an upgrade. It looks like Emotiva sells a preamp/processor with HDMI inputs (only 4 inputs though) for about $600.

Going with pro amps if you need a lot of power is a great idea if you can mod the pro-amp for low fan noise. He will still want to go with something with high quality room correction. Or a slight combo using a pro-amp for the front L and R speakers while using the receiver to power the rest. You will get more power going to all speakers.

But it really to know what you need and power you want how far do you sit from speakers and how big is the room?

 

[Paul98]

If he keeps it for a decade, 4K will be a factor.

As I said it won't be a factor since you can just pick up an HDMI switch when it's finally needed, they are cheap and will make it so there aren't any problems.

 

[boomhower]

Would you consider a pre-amp and several pro-audio amps? It seems like the best way to get a future proof solution, good quality amps will always be good quality amps, the features of the pre-amp are what typically force an upgrade. It looks like Emotiva sells a preamp/processor with HDMI inputs (only 4 inputs though) for about $600.

This is the route I would take. The difference in power output between receivers is minimal. An extra 50 watts isn't going to make much of a difference in volume output. The initial cost may be a bit more than just a receiver but long term you'll get more performance for your money.

 

[olds]

Thanks for the input.
I'd never heard of Audyssey. Though my receiver did come with a microphone to set up levels. I still have to tweak them a bit for my liking.

 

[Meghan54]

If you're going with a receiver, may I humbly suggest considering a pair of Marantz receivers, the SR7007 and SR6007. Both are supposed to be 3D and 4K capable.

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/P...CatId=AVReceivers&SubCatId=0&ProductId=SR7007

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/P...CatId=AVReceivers&SubCatId=0&ProductId=SR6007

 

[Paul98]

There is a big difference between different room correction schemes. The top end ones make a huge difference in sound quality. Like the Audyssey XT32 is amazing, the XT is just alright, and below that isn't much at all.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I was in this quandary a few years back - I had it narrowed down to Marantz or Pioneer Elite.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Receivers/SC-65

$1080 online http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SC-65-.../dp/B00852X534


It is pretty much future-proof and meets all your requirements.

 

[olds]

After a lot of going back and forth, I bought the Denon AVR3313. The 43xx was too rich for my blood.
http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pag...id=avreceivers(denonna)&pid=avr3313ci(denonna)

Now, when is that darn Panasonic ST 60 coming out...

 

[alcoholbob]

That's a lot of power to give up, the 3805 was a 38 lb receiver, the 3313 I believe is only 26 lbs. If you wanted power, next time look at Onkyo, they give you huge amp sections for the buck.

The TX-NR5009 is only $890 at Frys right now, a 55lb beast.

 

[s44]

That's a lot of power to give up, the 3805 was a 38 lb receiver, the 3313 I believe is only 26 lbs.

It's true, but it does have full pre-outs and MultEQ XT. Certainly leaves room for later.

 

[olds]

It's true, but it does have full pre-outs and MultEQ XT. Certainly leaves room for later.

Part of my decision.

 

[Oyeve]

The 3805 is awesome. Still my main receiver. I haven't upgraded because I still rock my DP-45F turntable on it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

MultEQ XT rocks. My 1712 has it and it makes a HUGE difference between that and the 1612 my friend has.

 

[olds]

I am hooking up the 3313 right now. My TV (old Panasonic 720p) looks better than it ever has. Getting a Panasonic 60" ST60 soon.

I've got to clean up the cabling, push the entertainment center against the wall and run Audyssey to calibrate my speakers. I am starving but too excited to eat lunch.

 

[olds]

Had this thing almost a month and I love it. Audyessy rocks. 5.1 sounds much better.